suzuki gs550

[neatbik]

Hi, ive got my eye on a suzuki gs550 for a project idea ive got kicking around in my head.
Im not sure on the year of it, but im guessing its late 70's.
Has anyone any experiance of these? Its really only engine reliability im concerned about cos after ive finished with it about the bit left will be the engine
Cheers

[Blau Zedong]

Probably the strongest inline four ever made.

That is all.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[petemell]

The GS550 is a sound bike. They are probably the best midrange inline 4 cylinder around. I like the early spoked wheeled model.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Engines are very solid. Use roller bearing cranks which are fairly noisy but also don't need much oil pressure hence survive plenty of abuse.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[neatbik]

Cheers for that guys, sounds like a good bet then
The one i have seen has mag? wheels, so im not sure which model it is..

[Pete.]

My 1st big bike

There are two versions as I recall the E and the L. The L is more of a custom-shaped bike the E is the regular GS shape. Very tough engine, poor charging circuit easily fixed by fitting a Honda regulator/rectifier.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[cestrian]

Bomb proof motor

[Endless Nameless]

I've got a GS550E, love her to bits

As the only other bike I've had is a CG I cant really compare it to other bikes. Carbs are a bitch to take off, but I guess that applies to any inline 4.

I'd also heard that the motors are indestructible and the charging circuit is poo.
Mine burns a bit of oil, but not enough to worry me.

Get some photos up I don't think any of the other regular posters currently have one of these, although a lot seem to have owned one back in the dim and distant past

Oh, think they had the alloy wheels from '78 on? Don't see many with the spoked wheels now. That said, you dont see many at all! There's loads of spares on eBay, place in Blackpool has loads of bits.
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A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[neatbik]

Cheers guys
I havent got it yet, im still deciding really on which bike to use, but im leaning towards the gs
The one i am looking at hasnt been run for a couple of years, its in a bit of a mess cosmeticly but i am assured the engine is a good one.
There are few bits missing i.e bars, headlight, ht leads from what i can see but under the crap it does look solid.
My plan is to use the engine, wheels etc for a bobber project, i'll either modify the frame or knock up a custom hard tail frame myself.

[Endless Nameless]

Thought that might be your plan. Quite a few GS based chops around.
Personally I'd keep it standard, but if it's cosmetically buggered then there's not much point.

If it's an E and the tailpiece and tank are straight, shotgun first dibs
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A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[Jockey]

I had a GS550E new in 1979/80, it was one of the best bikes i`ve ever owned, no trouble at all, i covered 12500 miles in six months on it and sold it when it was a year old, it`s true about how solid the engines are, although they aren`t particularly quick, but still fun to have and use.-Jockey.
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Current bike VFR 400 R NC30, others now gone.

[neatbik]

ok mate, no probs
To be honest it could be restored back to standard but its very tatty, if it wasnt too bad i would probably feel guilty about chopping it up.
So spares availability is pretty good then?

Here are some pics im using as inspiration -

https://www.kingbirdmotoring.com/GS550/images/07072004/rear_left_quarter.jpg

This one i really like, its a yamaha but i could achieve something similar
https://www.torkypig.com/tp/wp-content/gallery/alans-mutant/alan_bobber.jpg

And this triumph is cool too
https://www.motorcycle.com/galleries/images/Event-71605-Hansen-Damn-Show-and-Ride/earls-bobber_rdax_295x270.jpg

[virus]

There not bobbers! they dont have red rims!

Although wrapped downpipes is major cool points.

Cheers
John
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Endless Nameless]

That Yamaha is nice, it's probably built around a twin though? Always felt twins were more suited to this kinda thing than multis.

As for spares, just search "GS550" in shops on eBay. About the only thing that doesn't come up is luggage racks.

Don't spose the one you're looking at has a rack on does it?
____________________
A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[Endaf]

There are 2 issues. I kept having to stop to check directions and the bike is a troublesome starter (but usually gets going in the end). On my final check stop, after a few re-start attempts the battery gave up (I was on full beams too). Im hopeful I can get the engine turning if I turn up with the wife's car and some jump leads but...

Something has broken in my throttle system but Im not sure what it is. On one of my re-start attempts something snapped (since some recent flooding issues I've got used to starting on full throttle), it felt like it was at the handle but I guess it would. I read that replacing a throttle cable is quite a big job in which case recovery is the only option however Im wondering whether there's a spring somewhere?! Im hoping that if it's a spring at the handle I might b able to replace (or even get home without??!)

Sorry for the SOS straight off the bat here!! I have my Hayes manual and I'll study further tonight. I had a quick look this morning and couldn't see any mention of the spring (there was a page reference for throttle cable but strangely no mention of it's path through the bike. ANY knowledge would be very greatly appreciated.

PS here she is...!!!
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EDDIE

[nowhere.elysium]

[Endaf]

Hi Pork Lord

Thanks for your response. My bad, didn't understand how the forums worked tbh!! I'll bare in mind next time

Great tips, I'll look that up

Cheers
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EDDIE

[Night rider]

Hi Just got this bike going to give service any ideas on the best oil Ta

[Sister Sledge]

[Night rider]

Hi